MP to organise a rally against Green groups

IN AN extraordinary attack Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen is urging people to fight the "extreme green groups" who, he says, are costing the region jobs and opportunities.

Mr Christensen has taken out a full-page advertisement on page 50 of today's Daily Mercury, urging people to take part in a rally at the Bowen Showgrounds at 5.30pm, Wednesday, to send a message to the green groups.

"Who knows what's best for Mackay, Bowen and all points in-between? Is it the small group of green activists from southern cities who have set up camp here to cause trouble? Or is it you and I?" he wrote in his ad.

Besides the rally, Mr Christensen said he would present a petition to Federal Parliament on the issue.

The argument between environmental groups and developers concerns dredging at Abbot Point.

"The relentless green war against the coal industry affects you just as much as it does the people of Bowen," the ad read.

"Their campaign is costing us jobs and opportunities."

Reader poll

Would you support George Christensen at a rally against environmentalists?

This poll ended on 12 September 2015.

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75%

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With the identification of a potential land-based option for dumping dredge spoil, the argument has heated up in the past week.

Mr Christensen said on one hand environmental groups welcomed the news, but say they will continue court action to stop the expansion.

"So what do they want?" he wrote.

"They want to kill the coal industry, kill jobs and devastate the economy of our region."

Bowen resident and rally organiser John Smith said about 700 people attended a similar event last year, and he was expecting many more this year. "We're fighting for our livelihoods," Mr Smith said.